New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-21
and honest beliefs are pressed with the ear
ncstncss Of religious conviction, mas always
an educating and clevating influence.
THE GROWTH OF ANTI-S4LOONISM

THE GROWTH OF ANTL-S4LOONISA.
That the anti-saloon movement woulo' IL
persevercd in, commend itself more strongly
continually to the friends of temperance i'll
the Republican party should have been ap-
parent from the first. That the excuses
nractised by third-party dictionaries IN .hd
namo Of prohibition would strengthen WIS
tendency was not less obvious. AS pe"ech
q practical, SOBER working policy, aitogc'hcr
attanable. and one pitched upon mnS 81
rcmote and inaccessible as to make the support
Of il little better than beating OF the ar
There cannot be long hesitation. The IroN
bibition programme sets forth goal bcyoho
the roach of living men for the most part.
The Anti-Saloon movement looks to the appii-
cation of temperance principles to the luileS'
extent attainable under existing conditions.
II docs not declare wildly and irratlonally
that it will have everything or nothing IL
declares that it will do its best to obtain
whatever relief from the drink evil Is pracu-
cable. It recognizes the futllity of extremism
and the wisdom of resting content with paroiai
gains where no more can be had. frohipi-
tion on the other hand, will rather go back
,vord than not move, and does not shrink
from helping the enemy as an alternative
with taking into alliance those who are I'M
nrcpared to pronounce the shibboleth Oh total
abstinence.
The Ant-Saloon movement Is controlled py
common sense. It's projectors saw that wnae
ever prospect the temperance cause had lay
chiefly In Republican Endorsement From day
Ia dav public sentiment was seen to be crystal
lizing moro definitely and arraying itself more
positively against the drink owl, but thu
pioneer temperance sentiment was IN DANGER
of being expended usclessly because OF inc
twist given to it by certain ambitious schcmcrs
who had conceived the idea of third party
based wholly on this single issue. There was.
however. little choice for earnest men. III
they believed, as many did, that war upon
the rum power was the most crying need oil
the hour, they were strongly tempted to JOIN
the third party men by the apparent sluggish
ness and Indifference of Republican politicians.
Undoubtedly the Republican party still num-
bcred the strongest ethical influences in the
country. but they were no longer dominant
1t was to meet this emergency, to call into
action. to put in the front the moral forces
Of the Republican party, that the Anti-Saloon
movement was begun and the foresight ana
good jud gmcnt of it's projectors are already
indicated.
The nucleus Of great National Republican
temperance organization IS here In fact. L ho
signs of the times are unmistakably propi-
tious. The hearty welcome given to the Anti
Saloon movement by the leading Republicans
cyerywh here proves that it answers to need
pre7iously experienced, and that it proceeds
lpon lines recognized as sound and practical.
TEE TRIBUNE has constantly maintained
that however apathctic or even uniricndly
politicians may be- 1t Is always within tho
power of the rank and file OF party to com
pei their submission 10 reform movements.
They in truth only require to be well assured
Of the popular bent to follow 1t, and they
will do so in this case No man who watches
tho current indications can doubt that the
American people are becoming more impatient
Of the rum power every day. and moro dis
posed to treat it as National foe. But
there Is no way OF entering upon such war
fare with any hope Of success save through
tho Republican party. The Antl-Saloon
movement offers the means Of controlling
that organization in the interest Of temper
ance and of eGccting all tho restrictive lcgls-
lation which can be applied safely and effect
ually. AS this becomes more evident the
inclination toward the third party must
weaken. and the movement toward Republican
temperance work become moro acccntuatcd.
Hero is tho one practical means of dealing
with the drink evil, and thinking men every
where cannot fail TO perceive the truth.